South Korea slams North Korea for slandering President Park
Updated: 2014-04-02 06:28:02 KST

South Korea slammed North Korea on Tuesday for launching verbal attacks on South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
Through its Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the North denounced the South Korean leader for her recent comments on North Korea's economic difficulties, calling her derogatory names like an "eccentric old maid" and an "idiot."
President Park's remarks were part of her grand reunification speech given last week in the German city of Dresden, where she laid out her plans for bringing the two Koreas together.
Pyongyang had pledged to end all cross-border slandering earlier this year and Seoul's unification ministry said the remarks put the regime's sincerity into question.

"Such actions by North Korea raise suspicions about whether its so-called 'important proposal' for mending inter-Korean ties was just an empty shell."

In Dresden, President Park proposed three ways to bring the two Koreas together: increasing humanitarian aid, holding more inter-Korean family reunions and assisting in North Korea's infrastructure projects.
Experts say the recent resumption of verbal attacks can be interpreted as a no to the president's offer.

"But if we see in the long term, it is very threatening for Kim Jong-un regime. This approach can lead to separation between common North Korean people and Kim Jong-un, the political elites."

One way to solve the latest escalation in inter-Korean tensions may be for the Koreas to hold another round of high-level talks, as they did in February.

"We should always talk and keep the communication channels open. If for nothing else, to test North Korea's intentions and to monitor for any signs of change or opportunities."

"While talking things out may be the best way to solve a conflict, experts add that South Korea should not be naive about its partner's intentions. But dialogue may not be an option, as the South Korean government says it does not plan on engaging in high-level talks anytime soon.
Hwang Sung-hee, Arirang News."